Chain shackles having a resilient clip



Jan. 3, 1956 M R, DOCK 2,729,058

CHAIN sHAcKLEs HAVING A RESILIENT CLIP Filed May 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORN EYS.

Jan. 3, 1956 M. R. DocK 2,729,058

CHAIN SHACKLES HAVING A RESILIENT CLIP Filed May 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR l Jan. 3, .1956 M. R. DOCK 2,729,058

` CHAIN SHACKLES HAVING A RESILIENT CLIP Filed May 25, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 437 50 5/ 424 422 4Q 47/@16 4164.57 4@ l A Y x L I .1'7

Z7 47 1 |1. 424 437 5 gil/57 49 TCI Tlc" 22 V 5,15 555 24 ATTORN EYS United States Patent 'AO CHAIN SHACKLES HAVHNG A RESILIEN'I CLIP Mortimer Russell Dock, Washington, D. C.

Application May 25, 1953, Serial No. 357,071

17 Claims. (Cl. 59-86) The present invention relates to chain shackles and, more particularly, to those of the stud link type, constituting an improvement of the subject matter of my prior U. S. Patent No. 2,621,471 and my copending U. S. patent application Serial No. 290,739, filed May 29, 1952.

A general object of the present invention is to provide such a chain link shackle of balanced and symmetrical construction in which opposed stud lugs of link side sections are efficiently attached together or held in substantial alignment by abutment or filler means featuring snap engagement and disengagement, and which are economically producible in mass production in an electively rapid manner.

A more specic object of the present invention is to provide in such shackle link structure an opposed pair of alignable stud lugs equipped to receive and carry parts of a device which efliciently holds the stud lugs in substantial alignment and which are mounted either to each other and/or to the studV lugs by snap engagement; the parts being preferably so designed and proportioned as to avoid projecting or extending elements or portions on the assembled cross stud.

A further object of the invention is to provide structural embodiments of the stud lug holding or connecting means, the parts of which are readily'constructed, easily assembled, and permit eiiicient use and operation thereof.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafter set forth, andthe scope of the invention' will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded plan view of an embodiment of a stud link chain shackle, characterized by cross stud structure of the present invention, with the parts thereof shown in their relative laid-out positions preparatory to assembly, but with the separate parts of the stud lug connecting means omitted;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the structure shown in Fig. 1,

with the link parts shown in their initial relative positions ,'55

as they are slid to contact and socket reception prepara` tory to subsequent rotary engagement;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figs. l and 2, indicating relative positions of parts'after they have been assembled to form a finished chain shackle;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view, with parts broken away, of the structure shown in Fig. 3 with the `addition of the separate parts of the device employed to hold the studl 2,729,058 Patented Jan. 3, 1956 Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective of parts of the device employed in Figs. 4 to 7 incl. for maintaining the opposed stud lugs in substantial alignment;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a modified form of stud lug and alignment maintaining means;

' Fig. l0 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 10--10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is an elevational detail, with parts broken away, of stud lug structure of the Figs. 9 and 10 embodiment;

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of one of the two separate parts employed in the Figs. 9 and l() embodiment to maintain substantial alignment of the stud lugs;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, ofa further modied form of cross stud structure;

Fig. 14 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a side elevational View, with parts broken away, of a modified form of the structure shown in Figs. 13 and 14, and with the parts constituting the stud lugs alignment maintaining means being shown substantially in axial section;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged top plan view similar to Fig. 4 of a further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 but with'the parts of the alignment maintaining device being sectioned substantially on line 17--17 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 18V-18 of Fig. 16;

Fig 19 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 19-19 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 20-20 of Fig. 16;

' Fig. 2l is a plan view similar to Fig. 4, With additionalV comprise apair of opposed, substantially semi-ellipticalend sections 21, 21 and a pair of interposed side sections 22, 22. The side sectionsr22, 22 are equipped with parts of a cross stud structure 23. The cross stud structure 23 comprises a pair of opposed stud lugs 24, 24 which, together with means for maintaining them in substantial alignment, is the chief concern of the present invention. Otherwise, the features and characteristics of the other link shackle parts are similar or like those of my aboveidentified copending application Serial No. 290,739, thus being formed of suitable strong metallic material such as steel.

As is more fully pointed out in that patent application and as will be noted from Figs. l to 3 incl., each semi-elliptical end section 21 has end portions 25 and 26. End portion 25 carries an externally threaded male member 27 and the other end portion 26 is-provided with an internally threaded female socket 2S. The threads of the male member 27 and female socket 28 of either end section 21 are opposite in hand.

Y Each side section 22 comprises a main body 29 from one side of which extends its stud lug 24, preferably made integral therewith. @ne end of each side section body 29 is provided with an externally threaded male member 127, mateable with the internally threaded socket 28 of either end section 21. The other end of side section body 29 is provided with an internally threaded socket 128, mateable with the male member 27 of either end section 21. Y

Beforeproceeding with a detailed description and recital of the operation of the various embodiments of the stud lug structures and means for maintaining them in substantial alignment or connecting them together, the mode of assembly of the parts shown in Fig. l to attain the assembled structure of Fig. 3- will be here recited. A pair of the substantially semi-elliptical end sections 21, 21 are laid out, preferably on a flat surface inlater-V ally-spaced relation, with the male member 27 of one opposed to the female socket 28 of the other, in approximate alignment as illustrated in Fig. l. Each of a pair ofV side link sections 22, 22 is then interposedbetweeneach pair of opposed male member 2,7 and female socket 2 8, with the stud lugs 24, 24 thereof arranged in apposition and substantially aligned as shown nfFig.. l; and with the female socket 128 of each sidev section 2,2 opposed to the adjacent male member 27 of one of the end sections 21,.

The opposed end sections 21,21l are then pushed toward each other to engage the male members 27, 27 into the female sockets 128, 128 and the male members- 127,127 into the female sockets 2,8, 2,8, as isgraphically illustrated in Fig..2 The side sections 22, 22 are then rotated in` opposite directions to draw up, they male member threads into the threads of the femalesockets, as is indicated by the Varrows 30, 30 in Fig. 2, iinally, tightly. to, draw. the;

four link sections together to form the assembly of Fig. 3.

As will be noted from Figs. l to 3 incl.,each s tud lug 24 preferably is in the form of a section 31 of cylindrical stock, from the free end 32 of which extends, preferably coaxially, a reducedA section 33, preferably in the form ofA aY substantiallyl cylindrical projection or nub, thereby providing a circular shoulder at- 32.v Thel free end of eachk nub 33 may be chamfered olf on opposite sides, as shown, to permit free passing: with close juxtaposition when the sidesections 22, 22'are.y rotated in opposite directions. Each nub 33 of thecFigs. 1Ato8;

incl. embodiment is provided witha pair ofl diamet-.ricallylocated, transverse notches 34, 34, which preferably.

extend substantially parallel across opposite sides of each nub 33, as will be understood from` Figs. l to 3 incl. and- 6, with the nub stock remaining therebetween constituting a neck of less transversel width than thevouter head end thereof. Of course, an annular groove may bev substituted for the diametrically-located notches 34,34. to form the nub neck, such as is taughty in the Figs. 16 to 20 incl. embodiment. i

The means for connecting stud lugs 24, 2 4, together in the substantial alignment illustrated in Fig. 3, or to maintain that alignment, may, in accordance with the present invention, comprise, as illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 incl., a pair of interlittable,v C -shaped members 35, 35

made preferably from steel having certain resiliency.-

Each connecting or alignment-maintaining member 35.

comprises a main portion 36 of ca width or axial length substantially equal to the spacing. between theopposed ends-or shoulders 32, 32 of the stud lug bodies 31, 31. From opposite sides of the main portion36 o f each member 35 extend in opposed, laterally-spaced relation a pair of curved or arcuate fingers 37, 37. Theaxial dimension of each finger is approximately one-half the width or axial length of the portion 36. so that a pair of the fingers 37, 37 of one member 35 may be lapped,` against the sides of the other pair of fngers37, 37 of the other member 35, substantially to till in or bridge the space between the opposed abutments or shoulders 32 32, with those. two members together constituting asymf metrical plural-parts filler collaror ring-means to be assembled about the opposed stud lugnubs' or heads 33, 33. Each linger 37 carries on the inside thereof a transversely-extending rib or fin 38 receivable in one ofthe notches 34-34. Thus, as will be seen from Figs. 6\and 7, one of the C-shaped members V35 may-be placedlaterally overv one of thealigned stud lugs nubs 33, 33, with its opposed ns 38, 38 received in notches 34, 34 of this stud lug nub, and formingtherewithinterlacking means.-

As is best seen in Fig. 7, the tingers 37, 37, while having their inside surfaces defined by circular arcs of a radius substantially equal to the radius 0f each cylindrical lug head or nub 33, extend appreciably beyond the diametrical plane so that their opposed tips 39, 39 are spaced apart appreciably less than the diameter of the lug head. Since each member 35 preferably is formed of resilient material, such as spring steel, when the pair of opposed tins 38, 38 thereof are entered into the notches 34, 34 of one lug head 33 and that member is driven laterally into the space between the opposed ends 32, 32 of the lug head bodies 31, 31, the finger tips 39, 39 will be sprung apart to receive the lug head therebetween and will then snap toward each other on the far side of the latter. Thus, each C-shaped member 35 is snapped into position andv securely held on one of the lug heads 33.

After assembly in that fashion of one of the C-shaped members 35 on one of the lug heads 33, the other like C-shaped member is engaged about the other lug head from thev opposite side so that its fingers 37, 37 will -slide along` the sides of and lapA the fingers 37, 37 of the other Grshaped member, thus to iill in substantially all of the cylindrical surface of the iiller collar assembly. The second G-shaped member, of course, has its tins 38, 38 also engagedy in the notches 34, 34 of the lug head 33 about which it is forced or driven laterally so that its finger tips 39, 39. snap therebeyond for secure anchorage. The main portion 36v of each C-shaped member 35 is defined adjacent the roots of itsI pair of tingers 37, 37 by side faces 46, 40A which may be susbtantially parallel. As is best seen in-Fig. 7., side faces 40, 40 maybe laterally spaced- 39; of the other interiitting member 35, so as to minimizeV the size and extent of notches or recesses in the external cylindrical surface of the assembled iiller collar comprising avpair of the C-shaped members 35, 35. The outer.- diameter of'the assembled plural-parts filler ring or collar means- 35, 35is approximately equal to the diameters of theA stud lug bodies at their outer ends 32, 32 for substantial mergence of their external surfaces.

The resulting assembly, best understood from Figs. 4 and 5, thus includes a iiller collar structure, comprising a. pair of interiitted C-shaped members 35, 35 which together` snugly fill the space between the opposed ends 32, 32; of the stud lug bodies 31, 31. The filler collar assembly thus constitutes an abutment means interposed between end structures of stud lugs so as to maintain them-in substantial alignment, thereby avoiding any undue.tendency.for-the'side sections 22, 22 to rotate relative to each other and to the end sections 21, 21 with attend# ant tendencyto loosen the threaded connections of those link.4 shackle sections. The snap engagement of each stud lughead 33.by.one of the C-shaped filler collar members- 35.1as sures.that the parts will be maintained securely togethendespite rough handling and usage, such as in service as a link in an anchor chain and in the handlingthere- Of-byV equipment,- suchas-wildcats, and in storage in chain lockers;

Intentional disassembly of link shackle parts is readily permitted so as to allow disconnection of chain sections orrepairor replacement of parts. For example, one may readilydriveot'oneof they C-shaped members 35 from thetlug head;33 about which itis snapped by striking the tip 39 of one of its fingers 37 a sharp blow to back that member--oft'fand'snapits fingers-back past the lug head.

Therother- Oshapedmember 35 may be removed n av may.- be. readily kdisconnected orwornpartsofshacklesl may be easily replaced. Further, such chain link shackles can be produced economically on a mass `production basis at a price which will even permit quick hand assembly of whole sections of anchor chains formed only of such shackle links, since not only are the end sections 21, 21 and side sections 22, 22 made as interchangeable, duplicate parts, but also the two parts of the filler collar assembly are duplicate C-shaped members 35, 35.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 incl. As therein indicated, each of the opposed pair of stud lugs 124, 124 may comprise a substantially cylindrical body 131 having a transverse end 132, with the curved surface of a relatively wide zone extending arcuately at least more than 180 cut back to provide the C-shaped shallow notch 133. The space between the opposed ends 132, 132 of the stud lug bodies 131, 131 is to be filled in by a two-part filler assembly in the form of a pair of cup-like members 135, 135, each having a section of its side wall removed to provide a gap, as is best seen in Fig. 12. Each filler member 135, which has been aptly termed a half-shell, preferably comprises a substantially circular, transversely-extending bottom or end portion 41 substantially one-half the thickness of the space between the opposed lug ends 132, 132. C-shaped side wall section 42 extends from an arcuate portion of the edge of the end section 41, preferably normal thereto and along a circular arc greater than 180. Opposed end edges 139, 139 of the side Wall section 42 are thus spaced apart a distance or by a gap less than the diameter of the arcuate notch 133. Accordingly, filler member 135 may be mounted to one of the stud lugs 124 by snapping its C-shaped side wall section 42 into the arcuate lug notch 133. Each filler member 135 is thus mounted to one of the stud lugs 124 by snap engagement similar to that of the mounting of one of the collar members 35 to one of the stud lugs 24 of the Figs. l to 8 incl. embodiv ment. The gap between the end edges 139, 139 of the wall section 42 is less than the root diameter of the stud lug in the groove section at 133 to attain such snap anchorage, and the spring of those edges may be enchanced by proximate slots in both ends of the side wall section adjacent the inner side of the end section 41, such as along dotted lines 142 in Fig. l2.

With the Opposed stud lugs 124, 124 of the Figs. 9 to 12 incl. embodiment brought to substantial alignment as indicated in Fig. 9, one of the iiller shells 135 may be mounted upon one of the stud lugs 124 from one side by snap engagement of its side Wall section 42 into theV arcuate groove 133. The other iiller shell 135 may be engaged upon the other stud lug 124 in like fashion from the other side. It will be seen from Fig. 9 that when the pair of filler shells 135, 135 are so assembled between the opposed ends 132, 132 of the substantially aligned stud lugs 124, 124, their flat end faces 43, 43 are substantially in face-to-face engagement, or are so closely juxtaposed, as to prevent any appreciable relative movement of the stud lugs or rotation of the side sections 22, 22 on which the stud lugs are mounted. The two filler shells 135, 135 together form an abutment means which is removably interposed between the opposed ends of the stud lugs, with substantial mergence of external cylindrical surfaces. As in the Figs. 1 to 8 incl. embodiment, rapid disassembly of parts is simply attained by driving the filler shells 135, 135 laterally off from opposite sides of the stud lugs 124, 124, thereafter permitting ready disassembly of link sections in the above-indicated manner.

In the modified form illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, each stud lug 224 has a reduced, coaxially-extending nnb or head 233, circumscribed by a circular shoulder 232 disposed in a plane substantially normal to the axis of theY stud lug. The space between the two opposed circular shoulders 232, 232 is filled in by an interiitted pair of members 2,35, 235, each of which, similar t o the members 35, 35 of the Figs. 1 to 8 incl. embodiment, has a main portion 236 snugly receivable between the opposed shoul7 ders, and a pair of opposed,laterally-spaced, curved portions or fingers 237, 237. As in the rst embodiment, the pair of fingers 237, 237 of one member 235 are adapted to lap against the sides of the pair of fingers 237, 237 of the other member 235, as is indicated in Fig. 13, together to ll in the remainder of the space between the shoulders 232, 232.

As will be understood from Fig. 14, the spacing of the tips 239, 239 of the pair of fingers 237, 237 of each member 235 is less than the diameter of each cylindrical head 233, so as to be snapped thereabout. If desired, the finger tips 239, 239 may be provided with opposed, substantially fiat surfaces, adapted snugly to engage against the side surfaces 240, 240 of the main body 236 of the cooperating member 235, and, if desired, such side surfaces may be disposed convergingly with the opposed tip faces oriented relative to each other in similar fashion so as to attain snap engagement between the two members 235, 235, as will be more fully understood from the explanation of the Figs. 16 to 20 incl. embodiment, and more particularly, with respect to Fig. 20.

As indicated in Fig. 15, cooperating interittable filler or abutment members to be forced or wedged in between opposed ends of stud lug structures may be in the form of a. cooperating pair of members 335, 335, each similar in construction to the members 235, 235, except that each is provided with an internal, transversely-extending integral iin 44 which may be substantially semi-circular in shape, with the two fins adapted to be brought to substantial alignment between opposed spaced ends 45, 45 of the stud lugs 324, 324 so as there to serve as additional filler o' abutment means supplementing that provided by the intertitted members 335, 335 intervening the shoulders 232, 232. The nubs 233, 233, of course, may be provided as separate elementsv having, for example, eX- ternally threaded shanks 333, 333, threadably engaged in internally threaded sockets in the ends of the stud lugs 324, 324, as is diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 15.

As illustrated in Figs. 16 to 20 incl., the principle of the present invention may be practiced to advantage in connecting together or holding in alignment headed stud lugs of the type illustrated in my above-identified copendng patent application Serial No. 290,739. In that ernbodiment, each chain shackle side section 422 may carry extending laterally therefrom a stud lug 424 in the form of a headed member with an enlarged head 46 thereof laterally spaced from the side of the link section 422 by a cylindrical neck 47 of lesser diameter. Thus, the back end of each stud lug head 46 is in the form of a circular shoulder 4S opposed to the side of the link section 422 to which the lug neck 47 is mounted, such as by being made integral therewith or welded thereto.

The means employed in the Figs. 16 to 20 incl. em-

. bodiment to connect or hold the opposed stud lugs 424,

424 in substantial alignment may comprise a pair of like members 435 435 intertitted together to provide a covering collar assembly which fits about the opposed stud lugs and snugly intervenes the space between the tranverselyspaced side link sections 422, 422. Each filler member 435 may comprise a curved main portion 436 having one end abuttable against the inside of one side link section 422 and the other end provided with diametrically opposed, arcuate, laterally-spaced resilient elements or side sections 437, 437. End edges 49, 49 of the pair of side sections 437, 437 of each filler member 435 are preferably shaped to lit against the arcuate surface of the link side section 422, as is best seen from Figs. 16 and 18.

As will be apparent from Figs. 16, 19 and 2,0, the opposed pair of' resilient side sections or elements 437, 437 extend arcuately appreciably more than so that their opposed tip sections or side edges 439 439 are inturned or spaced apart a. distance which may be somewhat less than the diameter of the stud heads 46, 46 so as to attain snap engagement. However, if it is desired that such a ller collar and stud lug covering assembly be free of a tendency to damage the threads of the stud lug amant-sf heads; 4 6, 46,',v the spacing between. the tipv sections or edges 439, 439of'each'opposed pair of resilient side`sec tions;- 437, 4374 may be slightly greater than the external diameter of each of the threaded stud heads 46, but will be less than some portion on the opposed cooperating member 435. For example, as indicated in Fig. 20, the opposite. side walls 440, 440 of the body section 436 of each member 435' may be convergingly arranged with re spect to each other so that that body section is in the nature of a wedge over which the tip sections or side edges 439, 439 of the resilient side sections 437, 437 ot" theother member 435 are to be snapped. Thus, the snap engagement of 'each member 435 about the stud lugs may not and' need not be directly to the stud lug structure but can be directly only to the cooperating filler member, and may be with respect or directly to both.

As will be understood from Figs. 17, 18 and 20, each of the ller members 435`may be provided with internal rib structure so as to engage behind the enlarged heads 46,

46 of. the stud lugs 424, 424, or about their necks 47, 47. t

For example, the body section 436 of each member 435 may be provided with an arcuate, laterally-extending, internal rib t) which is adapted to be received between the lug head shoulder 48 and the inner side of the link side section 422` and about the lug neck 47. A similar internal, arcuate rib 51 may be provided on the same member 435 on the inner sides of the side sections 437, 437 to perform a similar function with respect to the other stud lug 424. Thus, as will best be seen from Fig. 20, arcuate, internal rib 56 of one member 435 cooperates with internal, arcuate rib 51 of the other meinber 435 together substantially to encircle one of thestud lug necks 47; Similarly, remaining internal ribs 50` and 51l substantially encircle the remaining stud lug neck 47; Asa result, not only do the filler members 435, 435 cooperatively cover the opposed' stud lugs 424, 424 and till in the spacerbetwecn the opposed inner sides of the link side sections 4122, 422, but additionally actually connect them together by the interfitting engagement of the internal ribs 50, 50 and 51, 51 with the stud lug necks 47, 47 and the shoulders 48, 48` provided by the back ends of` the enlargedv lug heads 46, 46.

It will be noted from Fig. 16' that the intertting engagement ofl the members 435, 435 is so oriented with respect to the rotatable side link sections 422, 422 as to dispose the snap-engaged faces in planes at angles to a transverse plane of rotation to which the axes of rotation arenormal. Thus, the members 435, 435 are moved into operative positions from opposite sides of the stud lugs 424, 424'in planes which are substantially parallel to the axes of the link side sections 422, 422. Consequently, any vtendency for the stud lugs 424, 424V to be rotated is directly opposed by the abutment ofthe inner faces of the side sections437, 437 with the side faces 440', 440l Obviously, the mounted members 435, 435 maybe readily dismounted to permit disassembly ot'l the link sections by driving them out laterally in'opposite directions away-from the stud"lugs 424, 424, along the inner sides of the link side sections 422, 422.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8 incl., the engagement of fins 38-38 into the notches 34-34 eliminates any tendency for the filler collar assembly 35, or parts thereof, to rotate in service relative to stud lugs 24, 24. Such a function kmay be served by other means, as is-illustrated in Figs 2l and 22. As therein proposed, the inte'ritting C-shaped snap members 535, 535 may be-similar-to C-shaped members 35, o1' Figs. 4 to 8 incl., except for the omission of internal ns 38-38; Preferably-the notches 34-34 are also omitted. In lieu thereofv the main bodyof each C-shaped'member 535 is provided with oppositely extending ngers or projections 52, 52 arranged' substantially parallel to the axis of the filler ring. assemblyland-seated in aligned notches 53; 53V

ontone side-of aligned stud lugfbody sectionsSS-l, v531.

Each lug. bodysectioni531'f has'a--pair ofv such notches" @fr diametjriean'yoppesite sides thereof, so that either of-V the"v like' Cishape'd members' may' be snapped intoV seatedpos'i'tionfiom ci'therside of the stud lug structure. The' parts are thus interchangeable as in the other embodiments. v

The' stud lugs alignment-maintaining means comprising a pluralityof'interengaging means is provided by the abutment filler ring means of Figs. 4 to 8 incl., consisting of the interfittiing'4 snap members 35, 35; the opposed abutting 'filler half-shell members 135', 135 of Figs. 9 to l2 incl.; the abutmenty filler ring means 235, 235 and 335, 335, respectively of Figs. 13 and 14, and of Fig. 15; the bridging and covering ller collar structure of Figs. 16 to 20 incl.; and the int/erfitting snap members 535, 535 of In each case the plurality of interengaging means have opposed portions each carrying' laterally-spaced resilient elements having inturncd tip' sections which are snap mounted about the studlugs. The C'sliaped collar members 35, 35, and 535,

'535,' are"respectively snapped directly onto the stud lug tip elements-orfheads 33, 33, and 533, 533. The halfshells 135, iare' snapped directly onto the stud lugs 131, 131. The collar Vparts235, 235 and 335, 335 are snapped` directlyonto the 'stud lugtip heads or nubs 233,

233, and may also have material frictional engagement or snap connection' between their nger tips 239, 239 and contact faces 240, 240. The collar parts 435, 435 are mounted yon and about the'threadcd and headed stud lugs `424,l 424 while being snap-engaged with each other; and thus are snap-mounted about the stud lugs. It is to be understoodi that the snap engagement feature of the present invention may be embodied in constructions where the plural-parts'filler` means is mounted on the alignedv stu'd"lugs"even though the snapy engagement of resilientlaterally-spaced elements thereof may be directly between the filler means parts rather than directly to the stud lugs, or may involve both of these types of snap engagement; and mounting, in addition to snap engagement"oflanintervening part such as directly to an element mounted on a stud lugas is the case of providing stud lug nub 233v in the form of a separate part threadably engaged in the end of stud lug 324, as proposed in Fig. 15. In the latter structure nub 233 actually is a part of its supportingy stud lug body 224 though formed separately therefrom and separably'mounted thereon, and thus the stud` lugs alignment-maintaining means 235, 235 are snapped aboutA the stud lug. means in this embodiment just as in all of' the other embodiments.

Itwill thus beV seen thatthe objects set forth above, amongthosemade'apparent from the preceding description; are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may bemade in the above construction and different embodiments'r of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all Amatter contained' in the Vabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andv not in 'a' limiting sense.

Itis-also to beund'erstood' that the following claims areintended to cover' all ofv the generic and specific features'oftvtheinventionherein described, and all statements oftlescope of'the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my'invention, what I claim as new and desireI to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A chain-linkshackle comprising, in combination; a pluralityof"connectable'link sections including a pair of opposedrotatablesidesections; a pair of stud lugs with one fixedly mounted-on each sideV section, said stud lugs being adaptedto be rotated to opposed, spaced-apart and substantially aligned relation with assembly of said'sections; and stud lugs"alignment-maintaining means comprisiriga plurality'of' interengaging means having opposed portions' each carryingv a pair of vlaterally-spaced resilient elements 'providedwith'r iritu'rned tip sections snap mounted` about Said'swd'lugs 'when'thelatterf are brought t sulil lnrn; l'

stantial alignment temporarily to prevent said stud lugs from being rotated out of alignment, said means being unsnappable to permit said stud lugs to be rotated relative to each other with demountable rotation of said side sections for disassembly of said link sections.

2. The chain link shackle as dened in claim l, characterized by said alignment-maintaining means as comprising a plurality of interfittable parts of an abutment filler ring means interposable between opposed portions of said stud lugs, each of said parts being demountably snap mounted for ready disassembly of said ring means.

3. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 2, characterized by said ring means as comprising a two-part collar with `one part snapped on one of said stud lugs and the other snapped on the other of said stud lugs.

4. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 3, characterized by said stud lugs having opposed spaced shoulders, with each of said collar parts having a ller portion of a width substantially equal to the width of the space between said shoulders, and a snap portion removably engageable with one of said stud lugs.

5. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 4, characterized by each of said stud lugs having a tip end extending beyond its shoulder into the space between said opposed shoulders, the snap portion of each of said collar parts being snapped about one of said tip ends.

6. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 5, characterized by the snap portions of said collar parts being lapped against each other together substantially to lill in the space between said shoulders not occupied by the filler portions of said collar parts.

7. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 6, characterized by each of said stud lug tip ends being of reduced section, and each of said collar parts Vbeing C-shaped with its medial section constituting said filler portion from opposite sides of which inwardly-curved, laterally-spaced fingers extend, a pair of said fingers on each collar part constituting its snap portion with the fingers of that pair snapped about the reduced tip end of one of said stud lugs.

8. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 7, characterized by each C-shaped collar part being a substantial duplicate of the other, arcuate and extending through more than 180 whereby the tips of said fingers are spaced less than the diametrical spacing thereof to effect snap engagement of one of said stud lug reduced tip ends, said lingers being approximately one-half the width of the liller portion of each collar part whereby two lapped fingers substantially bridge the stud lug spacing with the filler portion of one collar part fittable between the tips of the pair of fingers of the other collar part and with the two pairs of fingers mutually overlapping whereby said pair of intertted collar parts together form an assembled substantially symmetrical filler ring structure.

9. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 8, characterized by said stud lugs being substantially cylindrical at their shoulders with the reduced tip members also being substantially cylindrical and extending substantially coaxially of said stud lugs beyond the shoulders of the latter, said assembled filler ring structure being substantially cylindrical and having a bore into which said stud lug tip members are fitted in opposed relation with the outer diameter of said ring structure being approximately equal to that of said stud lugs at their shoulders to fill in the space between the latter with substantial mergence of outer surfaces.

10. The chainV link shackle as defined in claim 8, characterized by said tip members being necked to have a section of lesser transverse dimension and said collar parts having opposed inwardly-extending interlocking portions to engage on opposite sides of said neck section.

11. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 10, characterized by said necked section being formed by diametrically-located transverse notches with said interlocking portions being in the form of opposed ribs engaged in said notches.

12. The chain link shackle as defined in claim l, characterized by said interengaging means being in the form of a pair of opposed filler members having abutted heads intervening and together substantially filling a space existing between opposed ends of said stud lugs with said filler members having anchorage portions snap mounted on said stud lugs.

13. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 12, characterized by said filler members being in the form of cup means with each having a side wall gap through which a stud lug portion may be snapped.

14. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 13, characterized by each of said cup means having a circular head with an arcuate side wall fiange extending substantially normal to more than of the edge of said head to be snapped concentrically about the outer end of one of said stud lugs.

15. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 14, characterized by the outer end of each stud lug being provided with a transverse shallow groove extending more than 180 circumferentially thereof into which said arcuate side wall fiange is to be snapped.

16. The chain link shackle as defined in claim 15, characterized by said side wall fiange and its receiving groove being C-shaped in transverse section with the stud lug body in the grooved part thereof being of a groove root diameter greater than the spacing of the opposed ends of said ange whereby the latter may be snapped into said groove with the latter of a depth substantially equal to the thickness of said fiange for substantial mergence of outer flange and stud lug surfaces.

17. A chain link shackle comprising, in combination; a plurality of connectable link sections including a pair of opposed, rotatable side sections; a pair of stud lugs with one lxedly mounted on each side section to extend laterally from the side thereof, said stud lugs being adapted to be rotated to opposed, spaced-apart, and substantially aligned relation with assembly of said sections; a pair of opposed nubs coaxially extending from the opposed ends of said stud lugs with the latter defining transversely-spaced abutment shoulders, each of said nubs having a pair of diametrically-opposed, transverse notches in the sides thereof; and an assembled two-part, substantially symmetrical, filler ring structure disposed about said opposed nubs and substantially filling the space between said opposed shoulders with the outer surface of said ring structure being disposed substantially flush with the outer surfaces of said stud lugs, each part of said ring structure comprising a C-shaped member having a main body of a width substantially equal to the distance between said shoulders for receptive filling thereof, and a pair of diametrically-spaced, arcuate spring lingers extending from opposite sides of said main body with the tips thereof spaced a distance less than the transverse dimension of each of said nubs so that the latter is snapped therebetween, each of said fingers being in width about one-half the spacing between said shoulders and with each pair of said fingers lapping along the sides of the other pair to substantially lill in the portions of that space intervening said C-shaped body portions, each of said spring fingers having an inwardly-extending rib with the opposed pair of ribs of one C-shaped member being adapted to be received in the pair of notches in the opposite sides of one of said nubs.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 785,881 Hill Mar. 28, 1905 1,831,765 Gouverneur Nov. 10, 1931 2,347,088 Dock Apr. 18, 1944 2,621,471 Dock Dec. 16, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS v620,330 Great Britain Mar. 23, 1949 

